Nell Foster 1920-2001
Funeral service for Nell Huff Foster, 81, of Big Lake, was held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, October 22, 2001, at the Bethel Baptist Church in Big Lake with the Rev. Buddy Helms officiating. Burial followed in Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake. Arrangements were directed by Johnson's Funeral Home of San Angelo. Mrs. Fosterdied Saturday, October 20, 2001, in Reagan County Care Center in Big Lake. She was born January 7, 1920, in San Saba, Texas, to Virgil and Armour Huff. She married Aaron F. Foster on June 1, 1940, and was preceded in death by her husband, as well as her parents; one brother, Willard Huff; and one son, Gene Foster. Survivors include her son, Jay Foster of Big Lake; brothers and sisters-in-law, Wayland and Jewell Fay Huff of San Angelo, Johnnie and Marie Huff of Austin; brother, Ray Huff of Brady; sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Rod Rodman of Wimberley; grandson, Sean Foster and his wife, Racquel, and their daughter, Ciera, of Dallas; and a very special daughter-in-law, Diane (Massey) Foster Secord and her husband, Charles of Haynes City, Florida.

Benny C. Freeman 1914-2001
Funeral service for Benny C. Freeman, 87, of San Angelo, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 3, 2001, at Bethlehem Baptists Church in Big Lake. Burial will follow in Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake. Arrangements are under direction of Starks Funeral Home of San Angelo. Mr. Freeman died Sunday, October 28, 2001, in Rio Concho Manor in San Angelo. He was born March 11, 1914 in Whitewright, Texas. He was a long time resident of Big Lake before moving to San Angelo several years ago. He was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Big Lake. He served in the U. S. Army and was a member of American Legion Roy Rose Post 253 in Big Lake. He was a retired porter from El Paso Natural Gas Company. Survivors include two daughters, Ruth Freeman of San Angelo and Carolyn Goodloe of Big Lake; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Visitation will be Friday, November 2, 2001, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Starks Funeral Home, 122 West 14th Street, in San Angelo.

Susie Clepper Martin 1912-2001
Susie Clepper Martin, 89, of Brenham, died Oct. 31, 2001 in Trinity Medical Center in Brenham. Mrs. Martin was born September 16, 1912 in Waller County, Texas, to James and Nancy Branock Clepper. She attended Waller County and Brenham schools. She was baptized in First Baptist Church by the Rev. George Cook. On December 24, 1934, she married LC Martin in First Baptist Church in Brenham. Mrs. Martin was a lifetime member of First Baptist Church in Brenham, where she sang in the choir and was Sunday school class president. She was employed at Brentex Mills for 65 years. Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Joan Marie and Homer Borgstedte of Houston, Patsy Ann and the Rev. J. B. Bitner of Big Lake, Texas, Gloria Jean and Dr. Donald Draehn of Brenham and Linda Carol and Steve Johnston of Houston; son and daughter-in-law, Julian and Geneva Martin of Brenham; grandchildren, Brent and Leila Borgstedte of Houston, Byron and Cindy Bitner of Big Lake, Shelley Beth and Dr. Scott Blanton of San Angelo, Keith Bitner of Big Lake, Marty Martin of Katy, Kristy and Bill Collier of Denver, Colo., Julie Ann Martin of College Station, Ashley and Sam Gumbert of Houston, Rhett Draehn of Houston and Ryan Johnston of Houston; great-grandchildren, Drew, Nicholas and Alexander Borgstedte, Zane Bitner and Samantha and Sabrina Blanton; also special nephew, Marvin Brenemann; and sisters, Georgia Reynolds of Houston and Annie Bell Dryer and Opal Boyer, both of Baytown. She was preceded in death by her parents; sisters, Fannie Wendth, Mary Riley, Edna Stokley and Rachel McCoy; brothers, Pat Clepper, Charles Duncan Clepper, James Clepper and T. W. Clepper; husband, LC Martin in 1982; and granddaughter, Megan Leigh Johnston in 1997. The funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Friday, November 2 in First Baptist Church in Brenham with the Rev. J. B. Bitner officiating. Burial was in Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. The family received visitors at Memorial Oaks Chapel from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, November 1. Pallbearers were her grandsons, Brent Borgstedte, Byron Bitner, Keith Bitner, Marty Martin, Rhett Draehn, Ryan Johnston, Dr. Scott Blanton, Bill Collier and Sam Gumbert. Susie lived her life to the fullest and enjoyed every moment she could. She loved the Lord and spent much time in church activities and reading the Bible. Mrs. Martin enjoyed her visits in Big Lake including playing in a 42 tournament, meeting new friends and attending Trail Blazers noon meetings. She enjoyed playing cards, her sewing handwork and shared many lasting treasures with her family and friends. She loved traveling with her children and was proud of her work at Brentex Mills for 65 years. She left her mark on all she met and will be sadly missed. Memorials may be given to your favorite charity. Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 W. Main Street, in Brenham.

Jackie T. Hunt 1934-2001
SAN ANGELO - Jackie T. Hunt, 67, of San Angelo, died at his home on Thursday, November 8, 2001, from a massive heart attack. Memorial service was at 10 a.m. Monday, November 12, at Johnson's Funeral Home Chapel. Jackie was born July 17, 1934, in Overton, Texas to Vernon G. and Pauline Taylor Hunt. He attended schools in Overton and at Lake View in San Angelo. He worked in the oil field industry in Big Lake, Kermit, Rankin and McCamey. He owned and operated Hunt's Hot Oil Service company in Big Lake, before his illness forced him to retire and return to San Angelo. Survivors include sons, Jackie T. Hunt, Jr. and wife, Andrea, of Spokane, Wash., and John S. Hunt of San Angelo; three grandchildren, Jackie T. "Trey" Hunt III, Jacqueline Breighauana Hunt and Halston Lee Hunt; one great-grandchild, Kaitlyn Hunt; brothers, Bob L. Hunt and wife, Ernestine, Donald D. Hunt and wife, Delores all of San Angelo, and Joe P. Hunt and wife, Cherry, of Freeport, Fla.; sisters, Betty Varner and husband, Jimmie, Marsha S. Havins of San Angelo, Mary A. Covell of Midland, and Molly Pruitt of Abilene; Nell Barrington of Coleman, his ex-wife and mother of his children. Jackie was preceded in death by one daughter; Jacqueline Hunt; parents; and brothers; Billy Ross Hunt, Vernon G. "Pete" Hunt, and Thomas James Hunt. Jackie's greatest joys were to hunt, fish and brag about his grandchildren.

Iva Loftin 1911-2001
Iva Loftin, a long time Big Lake and Reagan County resident, slipped away in peace Wednesday evening, November 14, 2001, in the Reagan County Care Center in Big Lake after the completion of an eventful and glorious life. She lacked six days of becoming 90 years of age. Mother/Grandmother was born in Rotan, Texas, on November 20, 1911. After an eventful, and sometimes exciting, courtship, Iva Lear married Wilson Loftin in Sweetwater, Texas on August 17, 1932. Iva owned a gift shop that was located next door to her husband's service station in downtown Big Lake, and she will be remembered for her wonderful gifts and accessories. Wilson and Iva retired to their second and most fulfilling home, their ranch, in 1977, located 12 miles north of Big Lake. Iva was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wilson Loftin in 1983; her son, Bill Loftin, in 1978; a brother, Warner Lear of Big Lake, in 1981; and sister Edith Pettit of Rankin, in February 2000. Iva is survived by her son, Dan Loftin and his wife, Mary. She also has two surviving grandsons, Cade and Brandon Loftin of Fort Worth and Phoenix; and three granddaughter, Lori Loftin of Portland, Oregon, Leah Loftin of Big Lake and Lindsay Loftin of San Angelo. Also surviving is a sister-in-law, Charlotte Lear of Lubbock; three great-grandchildren; and many beloved relatives. Funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, November 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Big Lake. The Rev. Tim Fahrenthold, pastor, officiated, and was assisted by the Rev. Buddy Helms of Bethel Baptist Church. Burial followed in Glen Rest Cemetery in Big Lake. Arrangements were directed by Johnson's Funeral Home of San Angelo. Pallbearers were Bob Webb, Jim Wildner, Tommy Everett, Joe Musgrove, Terry Corbell and Jim Pettit. Memorials may be sent to the First United Methodist Church of Big Lake.

Darwin Webb 1926-2001
Big Spring-Darwin Webb, 75, of Big Spring, died on Monday, December 3, 2001, in a Big Spring nursing home. Graveside funeral services were held at 4:00 PM Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at Trinity Memorial Park with his sons, Dr. Bob Webb and Dr. Bruce Webb, officiating. He was born on April 30, 1926 in Rule, Texas and married Mary LaVerne Franklin on September 14, 1946 in Big Spring, Texas. She preceded him in death on May 18, 1970. Mr. Webb was a longtime resident of Big Spring. He worked for the Texas Department of Highway and Public Transportation from July 1946 to November 1982 retiring after 36 years of service. He attended East Fourth Street Baptist Church and had served in the United States Navy during World War II in the Pacific Theatre. Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda and Jim Wildner of Abilene and Mary and Dan Loftin of Big Lake; two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Dianne Webb of Denver City and Bruce and Nancy Webb of Jacksonville; one brother, Donald Webb of Hico; one sister, Grace Meyers of Paso Robles, California; and nine grandchildren, Kristin Wildner, Andi Wildner, Lindsay Loftin, Leah Loftin, Natalie Webb, Nathan Webb, Corrine Webb, Noel Webb and Autumn Webb. He was also preceded in death by a good friend, Pearl Watkins. The family received friends from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. The family met at 3:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home and went in procession to the cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home of Big Spring.

Eugene Jonas Brand 1912-2001
CONROE - Funeral service for Eugene Jonas Brand, 89, of Conroe, were held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5, 2001, at Lucas Funeral Home, 1321 Precinct Line Road, Hurst, Texas. Burial followed in Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas. Mr. Brand died Saturday, December 1, 2001, in Conroe. He was a former resident of Big Lake for three years before moving to Conroe last year. He was born September 23, 1912. He was a retired Baptist minister and an account executive with A. B Culbertson. Survivors include his wife Edith Lorene Bowman Brand of Conroe; one son, Harold W. Brand and wife, Gail, of Conroe; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He is the granddad of Susan Schwertner, her husband Danny, and their children, Stephanie, Amanda and Lawson, all of Big Lake.